Roberto Martinez: Is He the Right Man to Take over at Liverpool?

As reports surface that Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has cut short his Caribbean holiday to meet with the Liverpool owners, a simple question must be asked.

Has the Fenway Sports Group learned nothing from past mistakes?

The search for a successor to Kenny Dalglish is eerily similar to the last time Liverpool were on the hunt for a new manager, back in July 2010. 

In the end Roy Hodgson was the man chosen, a surprise appointment given his lack of experience at a club the size of Liverpool, apart from spells at Internazionale in the 90's. To be fair, Hodgson had compiled an impressive resume, although nothing could quite prepare him for the stresses associated with the Liverpool job. 

A mere 31 matches later and Hodgson was heading for the exit, never winning the support or trust of the Anfield faithful. 

When Hodgson was appointed, Liverpool's current owners were not yet in control of the club; although the troubles he encountered must serve as a reminder of what can happen when the wrong man is put in charge.

Roberto Martinez is the first manager to have a formal interview with John W. Henry and Tom Werner, but it is difficult to see how the Spaniard will fare any better than Hodgson.

While Martinez is renowned as a strong tactician, there is a huge difference between guiding Wigan Athletic to safety and challenging for trophies with Liverpool. 

This season, Liverpool finished 8th in the Premier League while winning the Carling Cup along the way. If these results were not enough to save "King Kenny", then the owners will surely demand better this time around.

If Martinez is indeed hired and early results go against the Reds, the Kop will be baying for blood. After a frustrating season that lacked consistently good football, the bar has been raised for 2012/13.

This appointment is critical for Liverpool; get it wrong and the club may slip even further away from being ranked among England's elite.

The club spent big money last summer on players such as Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, with little return. Another disappointing season will not be tolerated.

Surely the club should turn to a manager that will not be intimidated by the intense pressure and lofty expectations. Instead, Liverpool are interviewing a man whose only silverware as a manager is a single League One title.